piton

pi·ton (pē′tän′; Fr pē tōn′)

noun pl. -·tons′-tänz′; -tōn′

a metal spike with an eye to which a rope can be secured: it is driven into rock or ice for support in mountain climbing

Etymology: Fr < MFr, a spike, pointed object, akin to OIt pizza, a point

Converse of object

use: They continued exploring Cueva de Tiva, and in Coquisera they traversed round the 95m pitch, using three pitons for protection.
hammer: In general, ladders were tethered to pitons hammered into suitable cracks, or grouted into holes drilled in the rock.

Adjective modifier

old: In no time at all it seemed I had reached a small recess with an old piton hammered into a crack.
rusty: We climbed up on the precariously balanced step to the rope and spotted the rusty old piton that it was attached to.

Modifies a noun

gun: This piton gun however was equipped with a steel cutting laser, perfect for infiltration missions.

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